On Intelligence: How a New Understanding of the Brain Will Lead to the Creation of Truly Intelligent Machines
Sep 2024 · Macmillan
4.6star
79 reviewsreport
Ebook
284
Pages
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About this ebook
The inventor of the PalmPilot shares a compelling new theory of intelligence, brain function, and the future of artificial intelligence.
Tech innovator Jeff Hawkins reshaped our relationship to computers with devices like the PalmPilot. Now he stands ready to revolutionize both neuroscience and computing in one stroke, with a new understanding of intelligence itself. In this book, Hawkins develops a powerful theory of human cognition and explains how, based on his theory, we can finally build intelligent machines.
According to Hawkins, the brain is a complex system that remembers sequences of events and their nested relationships. This style of organization reflects the true structure of the world and allows us to make increasingly accurate predictions. This memory-prediction process in turn forms the basis of intelligence, perception, creativity, and even consciousness.
In an engaging style accessible to the general reader, Hawkins shows how a clear understanding of brain function can be applied to building intelligent machines, in silicon, that will exceed our human ability in surprising ways. Written with acclaimed science writer Sandra Blakeslee, On Intelligence is a landmark book in its scope and clarity.
“Brilliant and imbued with startling clarity . . . the most important book in neuroscience, psychology, and artificial intelligence in a generation.” —Malcolm Young, University of Newcastle
Tech innovator Jeff Hawkins reshaped our relationship to computers with devices like the PalmPilot. Now he stands ready to revolutionize both neuroscience and computing in one stroke, with a new understanding of intelligence itself. In this book, Hawkins develops a powerful theory of human cognition and explains how, based on his theory, we can finally build intelligent machines.
According to Hawkins, the brain is a complex system that remembers sequences of events and their nested relationships. This style of organization reflects the true structure of the world and allows us to make increasingly accurate predictions. This memory-prediction process in turn forms the basis of intelligence, perception, creativity, and even consciousness.
In an engaging style accessible to the general reader, Hawkins shows how a clear understanding of brain function can be applied to building intelligent machines, in silicon, that will exceed our human ability in surprising ways. Written with acclaimed science writer Sandra Blakeslee, On Intelligence is a landmark book in its scope and clarity.
“Brilliant and imbued with startling clarity . . . the most important book in neuroscience, psychology, and artificial intelligence in a generation.” —Malcolm Young, University of Newcastle
Ratings and reviews
4.6
79 reviews
A Google user
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January 5, 2011
This theory completely encompasses the variety within the human mind. He offers us a framework that allows for the diversity of the way we think of ourselves. I believe if we are open enough to see the merit the Jeff Hawkins work, we will understand ourselves and others much more.
Having said that, he is the first to admit that there are undoubtedly errors within the theory, and I occasionally found myself thinking, "no, there's more to it than that". but as an overall theory it is spot on. He has come from good background texts, some of which are opposed to the idea of artificial intelligence, but the fact that he agrees with some of these contradictory texts just reinforces his theories and he brings together a number of viewpoints to provide a new coherent testable hypothesis.
Artificial Intelligence is on it's way, if this work is ignored it will only be a behavioural intelligence that lacks understanding but performs intelligent behaviour. With this work I think we will see machines that understand the nature of things the same way as our brain understands the nature of things and hopefully can be put to good use and in an ethical way.
Joshua Job
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February 24, 2013
This book presents essentially the same theory of mind presented in Ray Kurzweil's "How to Create a Mind". "On Intelligence" was first, and did it better in my opinion. If you are interested in the basic principles of his the brain works and gives rise to the complex behavior of human beings, this is a must read.
1 person found this review helpful
Kyle Graeser
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October 17, 2014
The author really does a great job of explaining his theories. Very well written book.
2 people found this review helpful
About the author
Jeff Hawkins is one of the most successful and highly regarded computer architects and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. He founded Palm Computing and Handspring, and created the Redwood Neuroscience Institute to promote research on memory and cognition. Also a member of the scientific board of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, he lives in northern California.
Sandra Blakeslee has been writing about science and medicine for The New York Times for more than thirty years and is the co-author of Phantoms in the Brain by V. S. Ramachandran and of Judith Wallerstein's bestselling books on psychology and marriage. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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